lottery

Definition

A scheme for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance, especially a gaming scheme in which one or more tickets bearing particular numbers draw prizes, the other tickets are blanks.

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian lotteria, from the same root as Old English hlot (cognate with English lot). Compare French loterie (from Middle Dutch loterie). By surface analysis, lot + -ery.

Example Sentences

• "Dave plays the lottery almost every week, but always picks different numbers."
• "It's a bit of a lottery whether we'll get a good table in that diner."